Litchfield's Ton Powers Australia Record 190-run ODI Victory against India

Phoebe Litchfield and skipper Alyssa Healy orchestrated a dominant performance, putting up a formidable 338/7 against India. Litchfield's stylish 119 and Healy's commanding 82 led Australia to a massive 190-run victory in the third ODI, securing a 3-0 clean sweep at Wankhede Stadium. The total set a new record, surpassing the previous highest against India in this format set at 332/7 in 2018.

Facing both scoreboard pressure and effective bowling by Georgia Wareham (3-23), Annabel Sutherland (2-9), Alana King (2-21), and Megan Schutt (2-23), the Indian innings faltered. The hosts were dismissed for 148 in 32.4 overs in one of their worst defeats against the ODI World Cup winners. Yastika Bhatia (6) and Smriti Mandhana (29) initiated the innings with a 32-run partnership, but both fell in quick succession. Richa Ghosh, who scored 96 in the second ODI as India narrowly lost, was dismissed for 19, contributing to India's decline to 57/3.

Jemimah Rodrigues (25) and Deepti Sharma (25 not out) made efforts to boost the score, but six batters couldn't even reach double figures, resulting in a lackluster batting display by the hosts. In the 30th over, Annabel Sutherland took two wickets off consecutive deliveries, leading to India's slump to 135/9. Earlier in the innings, Litchfield's left-handed elegance and graceful footwork added a touch of class.

The young sensation crafted a splendid 119 off 125 balls, a stark contrast to her previous knock of 63 in the second match. Her second ODI hundred was a masterclass in precision, featuring an array of boundaries 16 fours and a six. The Healy-Litchfield partnership dictated terms for 29 overs, maintaining a run-rate of around six as Australia eyed a total of 350 at one stage. Healy, assuming captaincy from Meg Lanning on this tour, showcased a positive start with her first half-century as a full-time captain. Her 82 not only rekindled her batting form after a lean 2023 but also etched her name in history as the highest individual score for a wicketkeeper-captain in women's ODIs.

The Healy-Litchfield alliance, amassing 189 runs, etched its name in history by surpassing the 169-run partnership set by South African women Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvardt in 2021. The formidable duo specifically targeted debutant left-arm spinner Mannat Kashyap, unsettling her confidence early in the innings. Replacing all-rounder Sneh Rana, Kashyap bore the brunt of Healy and Litchfield's onslaught, conceding 23 runs in her initial two overs.

Under the leadership of Shreyanka Patil, the Indian bowling attack mounted a spirited comeback, securing crucial wickets. Patil, in only her second ODI, demonstrated variations in pace and maintained tight lines, concluding with figures of 3 for 57. Despite a formidable start at 189 for no loss, Australia encountered a stumble, reaching 223 for 4, highlighting the resilience of the Indian bowlers. Despite setbacks, Australia successfully crossed the 300-run mark in the death overs, courtesy of impactful cameos from Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, and Alana King. Notably, King punished Vastrakar with two sixes and a four in the final over, concluding unbeaten on 26 off 14.